Seven adults and one child were rescued Saturday from a fishing vessel that caught fire 3 miles southeast of the Freeport jetties.

The Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a Mayday call around 5 p.m. from a crewmember reporting that the 48-foot fishing vessel was on fire and they were preparing to abandon ship.

Two rescue boats were immediately launched to assist. Rescuers contained the fire and took its eight passengers to the Bridge Harbor Yacht Club in good condition.

The fishing vessel was then taken in tow back to Station Freeport.

"Today's case is a great example of how having proper safety equipment and being ready for anything can make a difference," said Melissa McCafferty, the command duty officer at Sector Houston-Galveston. "Not only did all members aboard the vessel have life jackets, they also had a six-man life raft in case the situation further deteriorated."